What would you do?

[kevin21]

Hey guys,

28g mixed reef of LPS/softies. Tank is about 5 months old. All is well. Only inhabitants are snails and a six line wrasse. Along with frogspawn, hammer, open brain, torch, and some button polyps.

My question is, what would your next fish be? Saying you wanted to stay away from clownfish (have had many over the years).

Six line has been in the tank for 3 weeks. Wondering how it would welcome other fish.

 

[cloak]

I would probably go with a Fiji Blue Devil Damsel or perhaps a Cherub Angel. Something that would be able to hold it's own against the wrasse if worst came to worst. No Firefish, no Cardinals etc.

 

[A1t2o]

Lawnmower Blennies are awesome. I love looking in the tank and realizing that the rock I was looking at was really my lawnmower.

Other than that, I'd say a goby/shrimp pair or just a regular goby that you find interesting and a skunk cleaner shrimp.

 

[kevin21]

I do like cherubs, just worry about tank being too small. I like gobies as well, but this is actually a barebottom. Not sure if it would be too happy. Would like to stay away from the damsels, had nightmares in the past.

 

[thegrun]

I agree the cherub would likely be unhappy and overly aggressive in a tank under 75 gallons. If you don't mind another wrasse any of the flasher wrasses would have a good chance at getting along with the 6 line.

 

[Bent]

Lawn mower blenny
damsels
dottybacks (splendid dottyback is nice)
hawks can hold their own I think.
engineer goby (if you think the rockwork is stable enough)

depending on what inverts you have in there, you may want to consider a tuberculated angler or a wartskin angler. They are small enough to work in the 29 and wouldnt pose much threat to anything other than small crustaceans.

Edit:
Actually I remember seeing an A. nummifer for sale on divers den the other day which is another small anger. lemme find it.

here ya go:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/diversden/ItemDisplay.cfm?c=2733+3&ddid=286377

LA also has some wartys.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+19+76&pcatid=76

edit2:
Divers den sneak peek email today also shows that they will have a warty for sale tonight too. May want to check out the colors as each one is different.

 

[zooman72]

Don't fear damsels - they are not all mindless "killing machines"...:uzi: For example, a Talbot's or Azure damsel would work quite well (and be inexpensive to boot), and you could always add other fish (not more than a couple probably with your tank limits) first if aggression were a concern. For a bit more $$$, a Stark's would really stand out.

There are a couple of blennies that could work, but I have always found lawnmowers to starve in smaller tanks - try a tailspot instead.

An engineer goby would probably get too big for 28g in short order, plus they are not called "engineers" for nothing...

A dottyback could work well too, provided you take behavior into consideration, so stick to smaller, less agressive examples such as orchids, elongates, striped, etc., or a juvenile larger species such as a splendid or strawberry.



You could also add 2-3 fish all at once, which could "break up" aggression, or use an acclimation box.

 

[kevin21]

Thanks for all responses. Will look into these. I really like the tailspot blennies...I read feeding them could be tough...herbivores? What food would you suggest? My six line eats mysis and brine. I do like hawkish...especially the flame. However, aren't they hit or miss on being reef safe?

 

[zooman72]

Tailspots do tend towards herbivory, but I have found mine to eat just about anything (including mysis and brine), and it shows - mine is huge and fat, and also a bit protective of its "bolt hole" (nothing serious, but does fend off larger fish).

Smaller hawkfish are generally reef-safe with regards to corals - although they do like to perch on them, which can cause some to retract their polyps, and can be problematic in smaller aquariums since the same coral serves as a perch all the time. They are also "jumpers", and so a top is a must, and they tend to eat smaller shrimp if you have any.

I have a couple of hawkfish - a Falco's in my one 40B, and a flame in my 50 cube. The Falco is a bigger fish and quite bold, whereas my flame is a bit smaller and just a little less bold. The difference in color is dramatic - you can see the flame from 20+ feet! Both are awesome fish, and I greatly enjoy them both.

 

[kevin21]

Really thinking I'm leaning towards a tailspot and a flame. I don't have any shrimp in the tank

 

[zooman72]

Really thinking I'm leaning towards a tailspot and a flame. I don't have any shrimp in the tank

You should be fine with them, and if possible, introduce both at the same time (after proper quarantine of course - although both seem to be on the lower end of disease sensitivity) - good luck!

 

[kevin21]

May be tough to add at the same time. I see tailspots regularly at my LFS but not flame Hawks. I think adding them both would definitely keep the six line at bay. Guess I'll keep my eyes open.

Thank you so much for all your help.

 

[zooman72]

No problem, glad to offer a bit of advice every now and then...

 

[TangingOut]

My flame hawk hasn't bothered any inverts and I've even introduced shrimp after he was in. I just did it when lights were out for a few hours and he was well asleep.

Awesome fish, great personality.

 

[rffanat1c]

My tailspot is a model citizen and loves to eat anything I drop in. Also cruises the tank eating algae off of everything

 

[kevin21]

Great thanks guys, a tailspot blenny could hold its own against the six line right? I know the flame hawk can

 

[zooman72]

Probably, but just don't get a real tiny one if your sixline is a bit larger - I have found small sixlines are typically not all that aggressive, so you might be OK either way...

 

[kevin21]

Yeah he's not too big, only been in the tank 3 weeks. Thanks again. Happy thanksgiving to you and your family.

 

[zooman72]

Again, no problem, and I hope you and yours have enjoyed the holiday - I am semi-comatose on the couch...